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Josephine Segal, Author 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION 



BY 



JOSEPHINE SEGAI, 



PRESS OP 

REVIEW PUBLISHING & PRINTING CO. 

PHILADELPHIA 

1907 



[llfeRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

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Copyrighted 1907 

by 
Josephine Segal 



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DEDICATED 

TO 

MY FRIENDS 



Oh! would that I could know the fate. 
Of this little book, that I dedicate 

To my friends; who, I surmise, 
Will laugh or cry, then — criticise. 

The Author 



''Tell me how long I can live; 

Doctor, please? 
It cannot be long, 

With this sort o'disease. 
But I'd just like to know — 

So please tell me true; 
But, don't tell Jimmie — 

This is 'tween me and you; 
You know Jimmie drinks — 
And sometimes he's bad, 
And of times he's crazy — 

And strikes his old dad. 
When he gets sober. 

He's sorry ye know — 
So I just forgive him 

And let it all go; 
When I was first married, 

I drank, so you see 

Jim is not to blame, 
He takes after me: 



THE JUDGE' S DECISION, 

I was not very kind 

To my wife in those days; 
So I've little to say — 

About Jimmie's bad ways, 
God knows, I've regretted 

Those years of the past. 

But, I reap as I sowed 
And life's ebbing fast." 

The Doctor looked at him. 
Steady and strong; 

He thought that to tell him, 

Would not be wrong; 
For he saw there before him 

A man without fear. 
One that would not be frightened, 

By what he might hear. 
''Your cough is bad — 

You are careless at best — 
What you need is good food 

And plenty of rest. 
You must be careful. 

About taking more cold — 
You are getting quite feeble — 

You know you are old. 




[JHE CXXTOR. LOOKEO 

>'AT HIM §TE1A£>Y ANP STR.oMc5 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 

If you're careful you'll live, 

Six months or so, 
I'm sorry my man — 

But, you wanted to know." 
The old man went home — 

Just out of the town. 
To a little old farm house 

Faded and brown. 
He was cold, and weary. 

Sad and alone — 
As he ate his supper 

By the old hearth-stone. 
He thought of the days — 

That had passed and gone, 
Of friends and comrades 

That had died one by one. 
The most of his family. 

His father and mother — 
A dear sweet sister. 

His good Christian brother. 
All were gone, also his wife. 

Whom he had loved. 
Better than life. 
He thought of the fortune, 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 

Squandered and spent, 
Of the gifts of great love, 

That God to him sent. 
Of how he'd abused — 

The talents to him given. 
And forfeited his right, 

To happiness and heaven; 
I know it is just — 

'Tis heaven's decree. 
All that is left- 
Is Jimmie and me. 
The clock struck ten. 

And Jim had not come, 
He knew he must go 

To bring the boy home: 
The night was dark, 

Rainy and cold, 
His coat was thin, 

Ragged and old. 
The cough was racking 

And shook his thin frame, 
But he tried not to think. 

Of himself, and the pain. 
He reached the small town, 










.^j^s; ss'Se '^v^ .&" 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 

Passed down the main street, 
When the shouts of the boys, 

His old ears did greet; 
They were throwing stones 

At a man who lay. 
Out in the gutter 

By the old road-way. 
When he drew near, 

He saw it was Jim — 
He was cursing the boys, 

Who were laughing at him. 
He drove off the boys. 

Then said, ''Jimmie come — 
It is time you and me, 

Were getting 'long home.'* 
The boy then said, 

''Go home you old fool! 
Do you think, I'll be led. 

Around like a mule? 
Why are you always 

Coming for me? 
I can take care of myself — 

You shall see. '' 
He tried to get up. 



10 THE J U DGE' S DECISION. 

But fell on his knees, 
Then the old man said, 

''Now Jimmie please — 
Just let me help you 

I know you are weak.'' 
He helped him up, 

But dared not speak. 
He feared Jim's wrath, 

And words of abuse; 
And was ready to make, 

Almost any excuse; 
''He ha.d not come 

To bring him at all, 
Had just started out. 

On a neighbor to call; 
Heard the boys laughing 

Heard the rude shout. 
And, had come to see — 

What it all was about. 
So Jimmie, don't mind — 

Its a bad night to roam, 
Soon we will be. 

By the warm fire at home." 
The old Collie trotted 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 11 

Along in the rear, 
And kept to the side 

Of his master in fear, 
If he got too near Jim — 

He'd receive a rough kick; 
From Jim's big boots 

That were heavy and thick. 
As they walked up the hill, 

In the cold frosty air, 
The wind whistled shrilly. 

Through the trees that were bare. 
The old man shivered 

With weakness and cold. 
It took all his strength 

Jimmie to hold; 
The light in the window, 

Shone out in the night. 
Way down to the gate — 

To guide them aright. 
But Jim stumbled — 

And swore at the path. 
Any excuse to give vent — 

To his wrath. 
When the door was opened — 



12 THE JUDGE'S DECISION, 

To get out of the blast, 
The old dog tried — 

To push his way past. 
It made Jim angry 

He gave him a kick — 
And opened the door, 

Said *'get out of here — quick!" 
The old dog whined, 

And limping away — 
He crawled to the barn 

And slept on the hay. 
The old man found him 

At morning light. 
He had lain with a broken 

Leg all night, 
He could not stand 

Upon his feet — 
He could not drink. 

He could not eat, 
His eyes were bloodshot 

He growled in fear — 
He would not allow 

Any one near. 
He had been so faithful. 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 13 

It hurt them to see, 
The poor old dog 

In his misery. 
He told Jimmie to go, 

To the town and bring 
Chloroform — '' 'twould 

Be the best thing;" 
Ah! well he remembered 

When his poor wife died 
How the old dog lay 

On her grave and cried; 
He had loved his mistress 

Was her willing slave — 
Weeks — after her death. 

Would visit her grave 
Late in the night— 

When all were asleep. 
He seemed to think he 

Must watch there keep; 
The Collie had been 

So honest, and true. 
Tears came to his eyes 

For what he must do. 
When Jimmie came back. 



14 THE JUDGE'S DECISION, 

He said, ''Dad, I hope 
You'll have no trouble 

In giving the 'dope. ' 
I am sorry, I did it 

(And his face was so sad). 
But, you know when I'm drunk 

My temper is bad." 
The old man spoke up 

In a voice rather rough, 
''Never mind Jimmie now! 

Give me the 'stuff.'" 
He poured some on a towel 

Threw it o'er the dog's head 
In a very short time. 

The Collie was dead. 
They uttered no word 

But watched to the end. 
With tears in their eyes; 

(They had lost their best friend). 
Jim w^as sorry — 

He had liked the old dog. 
And when he saw him 

Stretched out like a log 
He said "Father— 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 15 

What a nice thing it is 
To get out of one's misery 

As quickly as this.'' 
What was left in the bottle 

He placed on the shelf — 
Saying ''I may, sometime 

Use it myself. ' ' 
They dug the dog's grave 

In one corner of the yard; 
The ground was frozen 

So the task was hard. 
They buried him there 

And when all was complete — 
Placed a stone at his head 

And one at his feet. 
He missed the dog — 

When he sat alone, 
That used to lie 

On the old hearth-stone. 
He missed the patter 

Of his feet on the floor — 
He missed the joyous bark 

At the door — 
The lick of the tongue 



16 THE J U DGE' S DECISION. 

On the withered hand. 
'Tis hard for some 

To understand. 
The bond of friendship, 

That hes between 
Man and beast; 

There are few — I ween 
Who see the faithful look, 

In the big brown eyes, 
Hear the joyful bark 

Of glad surprise. 
The wag of the tail, 

And worshipful gaze 
He proves his devotion. 

In various ways, 
There are many ties 

But not the least, 
Is the bond of friendship 

'Tween man and beast. 
A few weeks after. 

The sky was o'ercast 
With great black clouds: 

The wind blew a blast: 
The night closed in 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION, 17 

With sharp hail and sleet, 
That drove the people 

Off from the street. 
At noon, Jim had gone 

To the village to buy. 
From the grocery store 

A goodly supply. 
(The old man had given him 

Plenty of money. 
To get tea and coffee 

Sugar and honey). 
He waited impatiently 

For him to come, 
It was long past the time. 

He should have been home. 
As he got up and tottered 

Across the old floor, 
He uttered a prayer — 

As he opened the door. 
That the wind and storm 

Would stop very soon; 
And that Jimmie was not 

In the village saloon; 
He scanned the road. 



18 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 

That led to the town, 
And with a sad heart 

Went back and sat down. 
He looked with remorse, 

At the opposite chair; 
How many times 

Had his wife sat there, 
V/aiting, and watching, 

And longing, for him! 
Just as he now. 

Was waiting for Jim. 
He thought of the sorrow — 

And trouble he'd given 
To one, who now, 

Was resting in heaven. 
How often she had begged 

Of him, again and again. 
To give up the drink 

But pleaded in vain. 
It seemed that a devil — 

The demon of drink! 
Was urging him on 

To the end — to the brink! 
He thought of the time 




IJOV THE'i:UPircH&C>HI§ FOCrTSTERS, 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 19 

When he was a youth, 
Had beheved in God — 

In virtue and truth. 
V/hen he loved, and married 

A maiden most fair, 
With laughing blue eyes 

And golden brown hair; 
He thought of the time 

The baby first came. 
They called him after 

The Grandfather's name. 
How they watched his footsteps, 

When learning to walk. 
Their pleasure in listening 

To his first lisping talk: 
How the mother's heart sw^elled, 

With joy and with pride 
As she walked vv^ith the beautiful 

Boy at her side. 
And her eyes were filled 

With tears and alarm. 
When he first went to school 

With his books on his arm. 
He grew to manhood. 



20 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 

Was wonderfully bright, 
But the taint of rum 
Was in his veins there to blight. 

Yes, the blood of the drunkard 
Ran strong, in his veins. 

He drank with a thirst 
That muddled his brains; 

The heartbroken mother, 
Oft with him pleaded. 

But, her tears, and her prayers 
Were by him — unheeded; 

Her grief w^as too great 
Broken her pride 

She gave up at last. 
And very soon died. 
They laid her away 

In the grave yard — lone. 
And the husband in grief. 

For the past, w^ould atone; 
He knelt by the grave — 

By the hillside and swore, — 
That never again 

Would he touch any more 

Strong drink, not 




The blood of the drunkard 
Ran strong, in his veins. 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 21 

Even a drop. 
For when she was dying, 

She had asked hhn to stop! 
Had said, ''Take care of the boy — 

Jimmie, my son. 
He is not wholly to blame 

For what he has done. 
I soon will leave you — 

I'm dying, I know, 
I'd die happier, if with me — 

Jimmie could go; 
He cannot reform — 

It is born in the blood. 
The temptation to drink 

Is as strong as a flood." 
The old man waited, 

And watched, in the night. 
He went to the window 

To place a small light, 
He thought, how often 

She had placed one for him, 
Just, as he now — 

Was doing for Jim; 
As he thought of the past, 



22 THE JU DGW S DECISION, 

He gazed at her chair, 
He seemed to see her, 

Still, sitting there; 
It seemed perfectly right. 

She was there in her place. 
With the same patient look 

On her sad, svv^eet face: 
He asked her *'If she had come 

Back to stay — 
If she was happy in 

That land far away; 
If she wanted the old home 

To see?" 
All she would say — was 

''Bring Jimmie to me.'' 
He must have dozed. 

He was aroused from this state 
By the embers of Y/ood, 

That fell in the grate. 
He looked at the chair. 

It was empty again. 
The wind howled, 

Driving sleet on the pane. 
The storm had increased. 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION, 23 

The dock struck ten, 
He put wood on the fire, 

And was waiting — when 
He thought he heard 

The chck of the gate. 
He was glad he had 

No longer to wait. 
As he walked to the door, 

He made up his mind: 
He would not be cross. 

But, would treat him most kind. 
He knew only too well. 

When Jim stayed out late. 
He came to his home 

In a very bad state; 
As he opened the door — 

And came staggering in. 
Shivering with cold — 

His breath strong of gin. 
''What! you up yet? 

You make me mad! 
You think you can spy on me 

'Cause you're my dad. 
Don't stand there and stare. 



24 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 

Go on to bed — 
Go on now, I say! 

Or I'll punch your old head." 
The old man's accents 

Were tender and mild, 
As he looked with compassion 

On his poor wayward child. 
''Never mind son — 

'Tis a terrible storm. 
Come out to the kitchen. 

And get yourself warm. 
I'll pull the old arm chair, 

Right up to the fire. 
We'll have some hot tea; 

And then we'll retire." 
He finally got him in bed. 

When he slept — 
The old man stood by 

His bedside, and wept; 
''It will surely be best." 

From his lips came a moan, 
''For when I am gone. 

He'll be left all alone, 
No one to give him 



THE JU DGE' S DECISION, 25 

Drink or to eat, 
No one to care, if he die — 

On the street." 
He tottered out. 

To look on the shelf — 
For the bottle of stuff 

He had put there himself. 
'^This is dreadful to do—" 

And he bowed his grey head, 
''But, I know I shall rest 

When I am dead 
To know that he's gone! 
When my life here shall cease, 

There can be no joy 
Like a death bed of peace." 

Pouring the stuff on a towel, 
He went to the bed. 

And solemnly laid it — 
Over Jim's head. 
''Sleep on my son. 

'Tis better you go 
Than to live and suffer. 

In this world of woe; 
Your mother said 



26 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 

''Bring Jimmie to me;'' 
Soon I will come — 

Then together v/e'll be/' 
He went back to the kitchen, 

And sat down to wait, 
For the dawn of the morning 

To tell him his fate; 
All through the long night. 

His vigil he kept. 
And several times 

So sadly, he wept. 
The fire threw shadows. 

Upon the bare floor. 
The wind shook the shutters. 

And rattled the door. 
The fire died down 

The room grew chill. 
The light went out 

On the window sill. 
Not a sound came 

From the closed door; 
He had gone to listen 

Ten times or more: 
The day was breaking 



THE JU DGE' S DECISION, 27 

Cold and clear, 
He watched the darkness disappear; 

He coud not go, 
To that room again, 

'Twould cause him 
Too much sorrow and pain. 

To see the face of his only child 
White in death — 

Would make him wild! 
He took his coat — 

And hat from the rack, 
Went out and closed 

The door in the back; 
Out in the cold frosty air. 

To the street. 
With the crisp snow crunching 

Under his feet: 
He was going to give himself 

Up to the law. 
And what they did to him. 

He cared not a straw. 
The sheriff and he — 

Had been friends always, 
They had known each other 



28 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 

From boyhood days, 
But, 'twas law and justice — 

Not friends — at this time, 
He knew he must answer, 

For his great crime; 
He went to the sheriff — 
With his hand on the bell 

He was wondering how 
He'd have courage to tell; 

When the sheriff came. 

And invited him in, 
The old man said ''Sheriff 

I've committed a sin — 
I have murdered my boy! 

I killed him last night: 
I came here to tell you 

As soon as 'twas light. 
The old man looked 

So white and forlorn, 
His garments were thin — 

Tattered and torn. 
He could not believe 

What the old man said, 
But thought he surely 



THE JUDGE' S DECISION. 29 

Had gone wrong in the head. 
^'Come right in and sit down 

My friend, 
Now tell me all 

From beginning to end." 
He told him everything 

With tears in his eyes, 
And to all of his questions 

Made sane replies; 
They locked him up 

In the old stone jail, 
And refused the many 

Offers of bail; 
He had many friends. 

In spite of his crime; 
Who believed he had 

Been insane for sometime. 
The old man waiting 

Grew haggard and thin; 
He longed for the time 

V/hen the trial would begin. 
When they brought him in court 

So wan and worn. 
The hearts of the people 



30 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 

With pity were torn; 
When the witnesses were called, 

They told one by one, 
What they had seen 

And what they had done, 
They had found the boy 

With a look of peace, on his face, 
No sign of a struggle, 

Not even a trace 
Of violence, malice or evil intent. 

They fain would believe 
It an accident; 
The judge arose 

Asked the prisoner to stand; 
(The prisoner expected 

A severe reprimand) ; 
He arose to his feet 

In a tottering way — 
The court room was silent. 

To hear, what he'd say. 
When the judge spoke 

The court held its breath, 
''Prisoner you've committed a sin 

That is punished by death. 




IHIe: AKOSE To HL§ FEICT 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 31 

A cardinal sin 

You have murdered your son; 
May God forgive you 

For what you have done. 
You may tell the court, 

Of the deed and the time, 
And what induced you 

To commit this great crime.'' 
'^111 tell you the truth. Judge, 

If you'll allow me to speak;" 
He commenced with a voice, 

Both feeble and weak. 
^'You see judge — I've only 

A few months to live, 
And when I am gone 

Who is there to give 
My son a home? 

So worthless Vv^as he 
No one would want him 

Around them — you see! 
He killed his mother 

With his wayw^ard ways, 
She worshipped the boy 

But, he shortened her days; 



32 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 

She was a good mother 

She was a good wife, 
She was a good Christian 

All of her life. 
Tears of trouble 

Hastened her fate, 
He learned her worth. 

When it was too late. 
How oft have I 

When drink made me wild, 
Poured out curses 

On her and her child: 
I see her now kneeling in prayer, 

Asking of God — 

''To help her to bear, 
To soften my heart 

To temper my wrath. 
To take the curse of drink 

From her path. 
She prayed for strength 

In accents wild! 
That she might live 

To rear her child; 
That God would make me 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION, 33 

Mend my ways — 
And end our lives 

In peaceful days:" 
She might have lived — 

I could have been 
Respected and loved 

By my fellowmen. 
Instead of lying 

In a murderer's cell, 
With my soul condemned 

To the tortures of hell! 
So long the wayward 

Path I've trod, 
I dare not plead 

My cause with God. 
I have killed my son 

As all of you know; 
I do not repent — 

'Tis better so! 
How vivid the scene 

Comes back to me, 
As a child I knelt 

At my mother's knee. 
How she prayed to God 



34 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 

To guard and guide, 
The steps of the httle one 

By her side; 
But evil companions 

And bad advice 
Will always the weak 

And silly entice: 
I know too well — 

Of what I speak, 
And deserve the justice 

That you will wreak. 
I confess my sin! 

That is all I can do — 
I deserve no mercy — 

I expect none from you.'' 
The prisoner ceased 

He sank into his seat, 
He looked so haggard. 

Worn out, complete; 
A great wave of pity 

O'er the court-room swept — 
Not a sound was heard, 

But, the women, who wept. 
The most of them neighbors. 



THE JUDGE'S DECISION, 35 

That had known him, for years, 
In their hearts there was pity 
In their eyes there w^ere tears; 

Again the judge 
To his feet arose, 
A few last words 

The trial to close. 
''Citizens and jury! 

What a pity! To think! 
That this is the end — 

And the curse of drinkl 
'Tis hard to retrace, 

The steps once astray — 
That leads to hell — 

On the broad highway. 
The boy who would go 

His way unheeding, 
Should stop and listen 

To his mother's pleading. 
The purest love 

That God has e'er given; 
Is a mothers' love — 

Recorded in Heaven. ' ' 
The jury retired 



36 THE JUDGE'S DECISION, 

In solemn procession; 
They were forced to agree 

By the prisoner's confession. 
As they returned, 

And all took their places, 
There were among them. 

Many sad faces; 
The foreman arose — 

And with lowered head — 
^'We find the prisoner 

Guilty — " he said, 
''But, Judge we would like you 

To pardon the man. 
At least be as merciful. 

Judge, as you can." 
The Judge stood up. 

And with tears in his voice, 
He said ''The jury has not 

Left me much choice; 
Prisoner, stand up — 

I have little to say, 
Go to your cell 

And earnestly pray — 
That God will forgive you 



THE JU DGE' S DECISION. 37 

For this great sin, 
As this is the greatest 

Pardon to win. 
Officer take the 

Prisoner away — 
Sentence is suspended 

'Till some future day.'' 




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